Courtesy of Bad WolvesBy now, you probably know the story of Bad Wolves‘ cover of “Zombie”: The metal band had planned to have The Cranberries frontwoman Dolores O’Riordan sing on the track, but she died the day she was scheduled to record her vocals. That led to a major behind-the-scenes debate over whether or not Bad Wolves should even release the track.
“There was honestly a big meeting, because we almost shelved the song,” frontman Tommy Vext tells Billboard. “We didn’t know what to do with it.”
After speaking to their manager and record label, Bad Wolves decided the best way forward was to release the cover, and donate their proceeds to O’Riordan’s three children.
“That was kind of how we tried to make a positive situation out of such a tragic one,” Vext says.
The cover was released the same week of O’Riordan’s death, and was initially met with pushback — some thought that releasing the song so soon was “cold.”
Now, however, the track has become a massive success, reaching number one on the iTunes singles chart. Vext feels that contradicts the popular argument that rock is dead.
“Obviously, there are a lot of people who want to hear that kind of music, that all those [rock doubters] are saying we’re not supposed to be hearing,” Vext says.
While Vext is obviously very happy with “Zombie’s” commercial success, he’s been most honored by the response from O’Riordan’s family.
“I have heard from her brother — he emailed us after seeing the music video,” Vext says. “It was really touching — I mean, I almost cried. They felt very moved by the video and the tribute.”
“I think the last send-off was ‘Congratulations on a masterpiece,'” he adds. “So, that’s how you know we did good.”
Copyright © 2018, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
